Camera bag divider with led lighting

ABSTRACT

A divider for separating a compartment of a bag includes a divider portion and a lighting portion. The divider portion includes an opening and an interior cavity. The lighting portion is insertable and removable form the interior cavity of the divider portion. The lighting portion includes at least one light emitting diode, an illuminating panel for distributing light from the at least one light emitting diode, and a control panel coupled to the illuminating panel for controlling the at least one light emitting diode.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to divider system for a camera bag, and inparticular to a divider with removable LED lighting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most photographers carry flashlights or other similar lighting devicesin their equipment bags for use at night or other low light conditions.These flashlights are generally carried in an accessory pocket of thebag or in any open space of the bag not being used. However, suchflashlights take up space in the bags, may be easily misplaced, andrequire the photographer to hold the flashlight when using it, which maybe cumbersome if the photographer is attempting to handle delicate andcostly photographic equipment.

Accordingly, there is a need for a portable light to be used inconjunction with a camera bag or other similar bag.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments hereof are directed to a divider for separating acompartment of a bag, the divider including a divider portion and alighting portion. The divider portion includes an opening and aninterior cavity. The lighting portion is insertable and removable formthe interior cavity of the divider portion. The lighting portionincludes at least one light emitting diode, an illuminating panel fordistributing light from the at least one light emitting diode, and acontrol panel coupled to the illuminating panel for controlling the atleast one light emitting diode. The divider portion may further includefirst and second attachment mechanisms including hook or loop materialfor attaching the divider to corresponding loop or hook material in abag, such as a camera bag.

Embodiments hereof are also directed to a camera bag including aninterior compartment defined by at least a first wall, a second wall, athird wall, and a fourth wall, wherein at least the first wall and thesecond wall include a patch of loop or hook material. The bag furtherincludes a divider including a divider panel, first and secondattachment mechanisms, and a lighting portion. The divider panelincludes a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge,wherein the first and second edges are generally parallel to each otherand the third and fourth edges are generally parallel to each other, andwherein the third edge is open to an interior cavity of the dividerpanel. The first attachment mechanism is coupled to the divider paneladjacent the first edge of the divider panel and includes hook or loopmaterial configured to engage the corresponding patch of loop or hookmaterial of the first wall of the bag. The second attachment mechanismis coupled to the divider panel adjacent the second edge of the dividerpanel and includes hook or loop material configured to engage thecorresponding patch of loop or hook material of the second wall of thebag. The lighting portion is insertable and removable from the interiorcavity of the divider panel, and includes at least one light emittingdiode, an illuminating panel for distributing light from the at leastone light emitting diode, and a control panel coupled to theilluminating panel for controlling the at least one light emittingdiode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following description of the invention as illustratedin the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serveto explain the principles of the invention and to enable a personskilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. The drawingsare not to scale.

FIG. 1 is schematic illustration of a divider in accordance with anembodiment hereof

FIG. 2 is schematic cross-sectional illustration taken along line A-A ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration taken along line B-Bof FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the housing containing the circuitboard of the lighting portion of the divider of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration taken along line C-Cof FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a bag including the divider ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described withreference to the figures, wherein like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements. The following detaileddescription is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limitthe invention or the application and uses of the invention. Although thedescriptions of embodiments hereof are in the context of a divider for acamera bag, the invention may also be used in any other applicationswhere it is deemed useful, such as other types of bags. Furthermore,there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theorypresented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary orthe following detailed description.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a divider 100 hereof is shown.Divider 100 includes a divider portion 110 and a lighting portion 120which is insertable and removable from a cavity or interior 118 ofdivider portion 110.

Divider portion 110 is similar to conventional removable dividers inthat divider portion 110 includes a planar panel 112 and attachmentwings or mechanisms 113 a, 113 b disposed along opposite edges of panel112. Attachment mechanisms 113 a, 113 b include hoop or loop material115 a, 115 b for attachment to corresponding loop or hook material in abag 200, as shown in FIG. 6 and described below. In other embodiments,divider portion 110 may be permanently attached to a bag, and in such anembodiment attachment mechanisms 113 a, 113 b are not needed. Dividerportion 110 includes side edges 162 a, 162 b, a closed bottom edge 160,and an open top edge 164, as shown in FIG. 1.

Panel 112 includes a first layer 114 and a second layer 116 which definean interior volume or cavity 118 between first layer 114 and secondlayer 116. First and second layers 114, 116 may be formed from a softprotective material such as nylon or polyester and may include a thinpadding such as an open cell foam or a cross-linked polyethylene withinthe soft protective material, as known to those skilled the art. In anembodiment, first and second layers 114, 116 are at least partiallytranslucent or undyed such that light from lighting portion 120 mayilluminate the interior of a bag without removing lighting portion 120from divider portion 110. However, some color may be introduced to thematerial that may be desirable, such a red fabric for night lighting, orother desirable colors for mood lighting. Further, the materials may beprovided with antistatic protection adjacent control panel 126(discussed below).

In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a third layer 117 and a fourthlayer 119 may be disposed within first and second layers 114, 116 todefine cavity 118. Third and fourth layers 117, 119 may be a material toaid in padding to protect items in the bag adjacent divider 100 andlighting portion 120, such as, but not limited to loft knit mesh fabric,laminated knits, high loft woven fabrics, other open knit or woven meshfabrics, and similar materials known to those skilled in the art. Thoseskilled in the art would recognize that additional layers orconfigurations of panel 112 may be utilized, provided that panel 112includes a cavity 118 to hold lighting portion 120, as described in moredetail below.

Attachment mechanisms 113 a, 113 b may be a different material thanpanel 112 an attached to panel 112, or may be an extension of panel 112.For example and not by way of limitation, in one embodiment, shown inFIG. 3, panel 112, and first and second layers 114, 116 may be formedunitarily. First and second layers 114, 116 may be stitched together bystitching 111 a, 111 b where panel 112 transitions to attachmentmechanisms 113 a, 113, as shown in FIG. 3. In such an embodiment, cavity118 is formed between layers 114, 116 and attachment mechanisms 113 a,113 b are formed by first and second layers disposed adjacent to eachother, with hook or loop material 115 a, 115 b attached thereto, asshown in FIG. 5. Those skilled in the art would recognize that otherconfigurations for panel 112 and attachment mechanisms 113 a, 113 b maybe utilized.

Referring back to FIG. 1, lighting portion 120 includes an illuminatingpanel 122, a control panel 126 incorporating electrical componentsdiscussed in more detail below, and light emitting diodes (“LED”) 124 a,124 b. A switch 128 is coupled to control panel 126 to operate LEDs 124a, 124 b, such as an on-off switch and/or a selector switch. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, switch 128 is a dial. However, thoseskilled in the art would recognize that other types of switches may beused, such as rotary switches, buttons, dials, etc. Further, each LED124 a, 124 b may include several LEDs. For example, in one embodiment,each LED 124 a, 124 b includes a white LED and a red LED. In such anembodiment, a second switch 129 may be used to select the red LEDs orthe white LEDs. In other embodiments, switch 128 may be used both forintensity control (described below) and selection of different LEDcolors. An embodiment with white and red LEDs would allow a user toselect either the white LEDs or the red LEDs, such that the red LEDs canbe used for night photography when bright light is not desirable nearcamera equipment. Those skilled in the art would recognize that more orless LEDs may be used, and that different colors or variations of LEDsmay also be used. LEDs 124 a, 124 b are coupled to control panel 126 andto a first end 123 of illuminating panel 122. LEDs 124 a, 124 b may becoupled to control panel 126 and illuminating panel 122 using adhesive,mechanical connectors, or other devices known to those skilled in theart. Specific types or variations of LEDs, such as surface-mounteddevice (SMD) LEDs or dual in-line package (DIP) LEDs may also be used.

Illuminating panel 122 is a generally clear panel 142 that allows lightfrom LEDs 124 a, 124 b to pass therethrough from first end 123 to asecond end 125 thereof. Panel 142 can be materials known in the art,such as acrylic, PVC sheets, polyurethane, polycarbonate, fiber opticpanels, and other light transmitting materials. Panel 142 may be rigidor flexible for easier bending. Further, diffusion particles 144 may bedispersed throughout panel 142, as shown in FIG. 5. Without diffusionparticles 144, light from LEDs 124 a, 124 b would tend to travel fromfirst end 123 to second end 125 with limited dispersion out ofilluminating panel 122 in directions away from the planar surface ofpanel 142. Diffusion particles 144 may be a UV print on panel 142,surface deformations or cuts forming acute end angles, or othermaterials and methods to diffuse light emitting from LEDs 124 a, 124 b.Diffusion particles 144 may be suspended within the material of panel142 to create refraction or may be created by a molding process todirect light. Also shown in FIG. 5, a reflective material or coating 146a, 146 b may be applied along the edges of panel 142 such that light isreflected back towards the center of panel 142, rather than escapingfrom the edges of panel 142. Although not shown, such a reflectingmaterial or coating may also be applied to the edge of panel 142 atsecond end 123 of illuminating panel 122. This assists in light emittingfrom the planar surfaces of panel 142 rather than escape from edges ofpanel 142. Reflective material or coating 146 a, 146 b may be, forexample and not by way of limitation, a white coating, silver coating,or reflective tape.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of control panel 126. Controlpanel 126 includes a housing 120 and a circuit board 132 disposed withinhousing 130. FIG. 4 shows control panel 126 with a potion of housing 130removed to show circuit board 132. Control panel 126 further includes abattery 134 to power LEDs 124 a, 124 b, and a potentiometer 136. Switch128 is coupled to potentiometer 136 to control LED's 124 a, 124 b. Byrotating switch 128, the electrical resistance by potentiometer 136 iscontrolled, thereby controlling the output of LEDs 124 a, 124 b. Switch28 also turns the LEDs on/off. Switch 129 may be used to select betweenred LEDs and white LEDs. Further, switch 128 or 129 may be other typesof switches, such as, but not limited to, dome button switches. Otherfeatures not shown may also be included. For example, and not by way oflimitation, battery 134 may be a rechargeable battery and housing 130may include a port, such as a mini-USB port, coupled to the battery tore-charge the battery. Further, a timing feature may be included tolimit the total time the LEDs are on, such as, for example 30 seconds.Such a timing feature prevents the LEDs from inadvertently being left onand exhausting the battery. In another embodiment, a single button maybe used to turn on one color LED, but holding the button for apredetermined period of time lights a different color LED, providesflashing, provides a longer time before the LEDs turn off, or otherdesirable features known to those skilled in the art. Although aparticular circuit has been described schematically with respect to FIG.4, those skilled in the art would recognize that different circuitdesigns may be used to power and control LEDs 124 a, 124 b. For example,and not by way of limitation, the battery may be charged using smallsolar panels. Further, sensors may be used to activate LEDs 124 a, 124b, such as, but not limited to, light sensors, proximity sensors (e.g.,detecting the cover of bag 200 opening), and other sensors known tothose skilled in the art.

FIG. 6 shows divider 100 in use with a schematic representation of a bag200 or a portion thereof. In particular, bag 200 includes four panelsdefining an interior volume thereof. A divider 204 separates theinterior volume into a first interior compartment 203 and a secondinterior compartment 203. Interior compartment 202 is divided by divider100, as shown in FIG. 6. In particular, divider 200 includes a strip ofloop or hook material 206. Similarly, an interior surface of the frontpanel of bag 200, opposite divider 204, likewise includes a strip ofloop or hook material. Attachment mechanism 113 a with correspondinghook or loop material 115 a, is coupled to loop or hook material 206,and attachment mechanism 113 b (not shown in FIG. 6) with correspondinghook or loop material 115 b, is coupled to the strip of loop or hookmaterial on the interior surface of the front panel of bag 200. Thoseskilled in the art would recognize that large patches of loop and hookmaterial, as shown compartment 203 may be used instead of a strip ofloop or hook material. As can be seen in FIG. 6, lighting portion 120 ofdivider 100 is disposed in cavity 118 of divider portion 110. Controlpanel 126 of lighting portion 120 is preferably facing the opening ofdivider portion 110 for easy access to the switching associate withcontrol panel 126. Lighting portion 120 may be switched on while incavity 118, thereby illuminating the interior of bag 200 through firstand second layers 114, 116 and third and fourth layers 117, 119, ifutilized. Further, housing 130 of control panel 126 may be grasped bythe user and lighting portion 120 may be removed from divider portion110 such that the user can user lighting portion 120 to illuminate otherspecific areas of bag 200 or other areas away from bag 200. Byincorporating lighting portion 120 as part of divider 100, the user haseasy access to lighting portion 120 and a convenient location to storelighting portion 120 without utilizing significant space in bag 200.Also, access to lighting portion 120 is simplified when compared tostoring a flashlight in a separate compartment of bag 200. Further,being disposed in divider portion 110 with appropriate padding, lightingportion 120 will not damage sensitive and expensive camera parts andaccessories disposed in bag 200, as compared to a flashlight that isstore within a the interior of bag 200.

While various embodiments according to the present invention have beendescribed above, it should be understood that they have been presentedby way of illustration and example only, and not limitation. It will beapparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes inform and detail can be made therein without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the presentinvention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appendedclaims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that eachfeature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each reference citedherein, can be used in combination with the features of any otherembodiment. All patents and publications discussed herein areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A divider for separating a compartment of a bagcomprising: a divider portion including a first edge, a second edge, athird edge, and a fourth edge, wherein the first and second edges aregenerally parallel to each other and the third and fourth edges aregenerally parallel to each other, and wherein the third edge is open toan interior cavity of the divider portion; and an lighting portioninsertable and removable from the interior cavity of the dividerportion, the lighting portion including at least one light emittingdiode, an illuminating panel for distributing light from the at leastone light emitting diode, and a control panel coupled to theilluminating panel for controlling the at least one light emittingdiode.
 2. The divider of claim 1, wherein the divider portion includes afirst attachment mechanism disposed along the first edge, a secondattachment mechanism disposed along the second edge, and a divider paneldisposed between the first attachment mechanism and the secondattachment mechanism, the divider panel including the interior cavity.3. The divider of claim 2, wherein the first attachment mechanism andthe second attachment mechanism each include hook or loop materialconfigured to attach to corresponding loop or hook material of the bag.4. The divider of claim 2, wherein the divider panel includes a firstlayer of material and a second layer of material, wherein the interiorcavity is disposed between the first layer of material and the secondlayer of material.
 5. The divider of claim 4, wherein the divider panelfurther includes a third layer of material adjacent the first layer ofmaterial and a fourth layer of material adjacent the second layer ofmaterial, wherein the interior cavity is disposed between the thirdlayer of material and the fourth layer of material.
 6. The divider ofclaim 5, wherein the third layer of material and the fourth layer ofmaterial are selected from the group consisting of loft knit meshfabric, laminated knits, high loft woven fabrics, and other open knit orwoven mesh fabrics.
 7. The divider of claim 1, wherein the illuminatingpanel comprises an acrylic panel with diffusion particles disposedtherein.
 8. The divider of claim 7, wherein the diffusion particlescomprise a UV print disposed on the acrylic panel or surfacedeformations or cuts on the acrylic panel forming acute end angles. 9.The divider of claim 7, wherein a reflective material is coated on orattached to at least two edges of the illuminating panel, wherein thereflective material is configured to reflect light from the at least onelight emitting diode away from the edge upon which the reflectivematerial is coated or attached.
 10. The divider of claim 1, wherein theat least one light emitting diode comprises at least one red lightemitting diode and at least one white light emitting diode.
 11. Thedivider of claim 10, wherein the control panel includes a switch forselecting between the at least one red light emitting diode and the atleast one white light emitting diode.
 12. The divider of claim 1,wherein the at least one light emitting diode comprises two red lightemitting diodes and two white light emitting diodes.
 13. The divider ofclaim 1, wherein the control panel is coupled to an edge of theilluminating panel, and wherein the lighting portion is configured to beinsertable and removable from the interior cavity of the divider portionwith the control panel disposed towards the opening.
 14. The divider ofclaim 1, wherein the control panel includes a battery, a potentiometerfor controlling intensity of the at least one light emitting diode, anda switch for turning the at least one light emitting diode on and off.15. A bag comprising: an interior compartment defined by at least afirst wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall, wherein atleast the first wall and the second wall include a patch of loop or hookmaterial; and a divider including, a divider panel including a firstedge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge, wherein the firstand second edges are generally parallel to each other and the third andfourth edges are generally parallel to each other, and wherein the thirdedge is open to an interior cavity of the divider panel, a firstattachment mechanism coupled to the divider panel adjacent the firstedge of the divider panel, the first attachment mechanism including hookor loop material configured to engage the corresponding patch of loop orhook material of the first wall, a second attachment mechanism coupledto the divider panel adjacent the second edge of the divider panel, thesecond attachment mechanism including hook or loop material configuredto engage the corresponding patch of loop or hook material of the secondwall, and an lighting portion insertable and removable from the interiorcavity of the divider panel, the lighting portion including at least onelight emitting diode, an illuminating panel for distributing light fromthe at least one light emitting diode, and a control panel coupled tothe illuminating panel for controlling the at least one light emittingdiode.
 16. The bag of claim 15, wherein the illuminating panel comprisesan acrylic panel with diffusion particles disposed therein.
 17. The bagof claim 15, wherein the at least one light emitting diode comprises atleast one red light emitting diode and at least one white light emittingdiode.
 18. The bag of claim 15, wherein the control panel is coupled toan edge of the illuminating panel, and wherein the lighting portion isconfigured to be insertable and removable from the interior cavity ofthe divider panel with the control panel disposed towards the opening.19. The bag of claim 15, wherein the control panel includes a battery, apotentiometer for controlling intensity of the at least one lightemitting diode, and a switch for turning the at least one light emittingdiode on and off.
 20. The bag of claim 15, wherein the divider panelincludes a first layer of material and a second layer of material,wherein the interior cavity is disposed between the first layer ofmaterial and the second layer of material, and wherein the first andsecond layers of material are translucent.